Improvements with Aches & Pains

Earlier this year (I can't believe I'm already saying that - it's March!) I was telling you about some aches and pains I was having that seemed to be increasing.  I also told you that I was looking into ways to improve them.  I feel like I have done that (somewhat) successfully.  Of course some days are better than others.  I have to tell you that I haven't been diagnosed with anything and I'm not really self-diagnosing either.  But what I can tell you is that almost everything I was dealing with lined up to fibromyalgia systems.  Steps I have taken to help with my systems have helped a great deal.  After doing research on the subject I found out that many doctors will say that it's true if you have 13 (or 15 - depending on who you talk to) out of 18 pain points.  I can say that I have different levels of pain and/or aches in 16 out of 18 of them.  

So what have I done to make these improvements?  

First and foremost I have upped my B Vitamin intake.  I have also added Spirulina and Chlorella tablets.  I've always LOVED Turmeric so I have increased my intake in that as well!  I have been wearing different bras for the past couple of months.  They are high impact sports bras.  I have changed the way I sleep.  I used to be a side sleeper and have changed to laying on my back.

I have picked up many things from Forks Over Knives, Dr. McDougall, and the Hallelujah Diet.  All of which are plant based.  Each day I have been trying to learn more and more and implement something new.  So far I have seen a HUGE difference.  I will continue to report on things I find to be helpful.

Obstacles & Progress

Just a quick update today...

So it looks like this is my set intake on superfoods and supplements over the last going on 2 weeks...

1 B-Complex Tab, 1 or 2 squirts of B-12, 1 or 2 squirts of D3, 2 tabs of Chlorella (M-F) and on weekends 2 tabs of Spirulina.  I've cut way back on caffeine intake.  Instead of 8 or more cups worth a day I'm down to 1 cup.  Others are low or no caff or herbal or rooibos or honeybush based.  I have been trying to add Turmeric to my foods at least once a day.

I'm going to try and incorporate the dreaded bananas once again.  REALLY trying to force myself this time.I'm trying to walk more and force myself to do more stairs in daily life.

Undergarments are still a challenge.  1 out of 3 seem to be ok.  The other two are better than what I had - I suppose.

I need to bump up my mini goals and be smarter and stick to meditation and yoga more.  I need to work on my anxiety and fears still.  I guess that's an on going process for any or many of us.

Sleeping situation is still questionable.  I've been able to adjust the way I sleep, however, which I think has been helping so far.  Actually I think most of what I am doing is helping.  I just have to kick it up a notch and continue, I think!

Progress in other areas...

I tackled my kitchen yesterday...that took a while but it's coming along.  I battled the recycling that was ready-to-go but out of hand.  I wish they collected every week instead of every other week.

I was able to relax a bit.  We took a trip down memory lane and watch movies like Titanic and E.T. the last few days!

What have you been up to?

Eats this week - Salads, Fruit, and a Cashew Dip Treat!

Since I am doing a mostly raw week while focusing on my Lymphatic System I thought I would show a few things I have eaten over the last few days.  I'm also thinking about extending this adventure into next week.  Time will tell.

First up a MASSIVE Salad.  I wish you could see how big this bowl was!  The salad turned out awesome!  It has 5 different kinds of lettuce in there, mini cucumbers, raw walnuts, 2 different colors of sweet bell peppers, and I topped it with a Braggs Dressing that had Ginger and a few other things in there.  Also on top is Garlicky Green Vegan Parm.

Yesterday for lunch I had 6 Kiwi Fruit.  I've also been gnawing on Kale Chips a lot this week.

I was able to find a few different kinds of Apples yesterday - including Grapples that are NOT pictured.  Cantaloupe - YAY - I hope to make a smoothie or at the very least Cantaloupe Milk with it.  A few oranges - hopefully I will make some dressings with those.  And MORE kiwi fruit!

Later in the day I bought 3 bananas and will be freezing them either today or tomorrow after they have ripened a bit more. (Frozen and in smoothies are the only way I can stomach Bananas!)

The Salad was amazing and I can't wait to have another one!

I had some Spirulina Chips left from a while back and wanted to get rid of them.  The reason I bought them was because they were Spirulina based but when I got them and tried one I knew right away they had a good amount of banana in them. Oye.

Well, last night I attempted to make a Cashew Dip and OMG it turned out AWESOME.  I dipped the Go Raw Spirulina Chips in it and PROBLEM SOLVED it was an AWESOME Combo!  I am going to be doing a recipe for The Raw Food World NEWS Site but I will tell you NOW that I used Cashew Butter, Lemon Juice, Coconut Oil, and Coconut Aminos in this recipe and now I'm kind of addicted to it!

Product Reviews: SunRidge Farms Wasabi Tamari Almonds & Barre's Ballerina Spirulina

A while back I started chomping on these and have been taking my time with them because of the dental issues I have been faced with lately.  Also...taking my time because they are VERY FLAVORFUL and VERY FILLING!  SunRidge Farms offers lots of different things and I have been enjoying a few of them the last few months!

The Almonds - themselves - were darn tasty - but the Tamari and Wasabi flavor combo packed a powerful punch and had me coming back for more! 

The ingredients in the flavoring consisted of wheat, salt, soybeans for the Tamari Sauce and the Wasabi Spice was made up of salt, rice flour, can juice, onion powder, spices, horseradish powder, yeast, parsley, and garlic powder.  There was a small amount of Canola Oil in it, too.

One of my FAVORITE things about SunRidge Farms Company is their GREEN Commitment!  Of course all of their efforts are wonderful but one thing I think is REALLY great for more than being "Green" is that they have an incentive for their employees who Bike-To-Work.  They pay them $5 per day to do so!  Isn't that AWESOME?  I wish MY company did something like that!  Not only is that good for the environment and your health - it's good for your pocketbook, too!  

This is certainly a snack I would buy every once and a while especially for hiking and traveling as well as adding to other foods for a kick.

Speaking of snacks I might splurge on every once and a while if I didn't have anything on hand...

Barre Bars!  I reviewed one a while back and thought I would tell you about another one I have been able to try.

First...I LOVE the play on words with the name of this bar!  As you can see - it's a dark mossy green color thanks to the Spirulina and the small seeds do 'wonders' for texture!

This bar is 'grainy-er' on the tongue than the other bars from Barre but it's NOT dry.  It's extremely sweet and has a good amount of moisture!  I found this to be completely satisfying and filling...not to mention TASTY!

Pineapple Mango Green Smoothie & Oriya Organics

 One of my mini goals this week was to start waking up earlier AND making more smoothies in the morning to take with me to work.  I've never been a HUGE fan of breakfast foods so I often skip it or take a bagel or piece of fruit.  And  I want something more complete - more healthy - and with my lack of fresh produce lately - I have been using frozen.  I figured frozen is better than nothing, eh!?  I'm especially excited to jump into more Smoothies because of some of the wonderful products I have come across lately...including this one from Oriya Organics.  It's their Superfood Protein Medley!  I wanted to start off simple while testing this product so that is just what I did.  A Simple Green Smoothie!

 This Pineapple Mango Green Smoothie has the following in it:

1 C Frozen Mango
1/2 Crushed Pineapple
2 heaping Tablespoons of Oriya's Superfood Protein Medley
1/2 C Almond Milk
1/2 C Water

This tastes AMAZING!  I've had my run-arounds with Green Smoothie attempts and this makes it SO EASY!  Take a look at what they say on their website!

Oriya Organics’ Superfood Protein Medley is a carefully calibrated blend of the most bioavailable plant protein sources. It has been scientifically formulated to provide a full amino acid profile that unlocks rejuvenating energy and whole-body wellness! The Superfood Protein Medley consists of the following protein-packed superfoods:

• Sprouted Brown Rice Protein
• Hemp Protein
• Sprouted Chia Seeds
• Chlorella
• Spirulina

Only the highest quality organic ingredients are sourced directly from producers in accordance with fair trade practices. Our products are handled with care and cold-processing manufacturing techniques are utilized to ensure maximum nutrient content and strength.

I've been wanting to incorporate MORE Hemp Protein, Chia Seeds, Chlorella, and Spirulina in my foods!  This has all 4!  It also have Sprouted Brown Rice Powder.  Sure...I have Chia Seeds and Spirulina in my cupboards and use it when I can but the more the merrier, eh!?

A few other reasons I LOVE this product is:

• Certified Organic by the USDA
• Certified Non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project
• Certified Vegan by Vegan Action
• Gluten-Free
• Raw

AWESOME!  But more importantly - it tastes good!  Since I used it in a sweet fruity smoothie I will not write about what it tastes like stand-alone, YET, but I probably will down the road!  I'm VERY happy with this product and my first impressions of it are all positive!  I can't want to try it in my next creation as well as try their other products! 

Juice of the Day & News!

Juice of Today - So Sorry - No Picture tho...
3 pears, 3 nectarines, 2 oranges, 2 kiwis, 1 lemon, and some spirulina

I'm still working on  several reviews and a really awesome giveaway!  I hope to have that up later this week!  Follow My Blog either as a follower on blogger or via the email button.  Thanks!